EP2471660B1 - Verbrauchsartikel, Flüssigkeitsbehälter und Kreislaufsystem für mikrofluidische Anwendungen - Google Patents

Verbrauchsartikel, Flüssigkeitsbehälter und Kreislaufsystem für mikrofluidische Anwendungen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2471660B1
EP2471660B1 EP11192394.2A EP11192394A EP2471660B1 EP 2471660 B1 EP2471660 B1 EP 2471660B1 EP 11192394 A EP11192394 A EP 11192394A EP 2471660 B1 EP2471660 B1 EP 2471660B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
housing
port
fluid
interior
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP11192394.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2471660A1 (de
Inventor
Trevor D Gray
Charles S Aldrich
Jason T Vanderpool
Robert H Muyskens
Gregory T Webb
David A Ward
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Funai Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Funai Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Funai Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Funai Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP2471660A1 publication Critical patent/EP2471660A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2471660B1 publication Critical patent/EP2471660B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to micro-fluid applications, such as inkjet printing. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to fluid recirculation throughout an imaging device. Consumable supply items and fluid reservoirs facilitate certain designs.
  • a disposable or (semi)permanent ejection head has access to a local or remote supply of fluid (e.g., ink).
  • fluid e.g., ink
  • the fluid ejects from an ejection zone to a print media in a pattern of pixels corresponding to images being printed.
  • a page wide imaging device only exacerbates the foregoing problems.
  • a page wide device has nozzles spanning an entire width of a print media, the amount of fluid wasted during priming operations is significantly greater than scanning style heads having shorter lengths spanning only about an inch in length, or less.
  • the volume requirements in supply items for page wide devices are also usually greater than those for a scanning head. As taller supply tanks are the norm, the backpressure in page wide devices varies more greatly which leads to performance challenges.
  • Fluid flow from supply items to ejection heads can occur either with gravity feeding or pumping systems.
  • Gravity feeding necessitates elevated positioning of supply items in an imaging device thereby increasing the size of the devices and limiting positions of supply item placement. Air locks in fluid tubing and elsewhere are also prevalent which causes imaging failure for want of sufficient amounts of fluid.
  • Pumping systems increase design complexity as dedicated pumps are required one each per the many colors of fluids channeled throughout an imaging device. Alternatively, complex clutching is necessary if but a single pump is used per the many color channels. Both gravity feed and pumping systems require significant sensors and controls to uniquely monitor and regulate their style of fluid flow. Gravity systems need floats and valves, or the like. Pumping systems need pressure monitoring and feedback devices, to name a few.
  • the supply item typically contains dye or pigment based ink.
  • Dye ink is typically cheap and has broad color coverage.
  • Pigmented ink is generally more expensive, but has a longer archival print life and higher color stability.
  • Pigmented ink is also known to settle downward over time leaving rich concentrations near a bottom of a container and leaner concentrations near a top.
  • ink drawn from the bottom leads first to excessively densely printed colors and later to excessively lightly printed colors. The variations often result in unacceptable visible defects.
  • the former also has the potential to clog ejection head nozzles as large particles accumulate together in micronsized channels having fastidious fluid flow standards.
  • the prior art has introduced mechanical stir bars and other agitating members that roil ink and mix sediments before and during use. While nominally effective, the approach causes expensive/complex manufacturing and necessitates motive force during use to set agitating bodies into motion.
  • the art also has fluid exit ports raised to heights measurably higher than the floor of the container. While this avoids supplying ink to an imaging device having too dense a concentration, it prevents full use of a container's contents as appreciable amounts of ink rest below the exit port on the lowermost surfaces of the container. Still other designs contemplate both agitating members and raised exit ports. This only compounds the noted problems.
  • a consumable supply item for the imaging device is disclosed in claim 1.
  • the design slows the return of fluid to the housing to minimize air bubbles or frothiness in the fluid.
  • the housing is oriented to deplete the volume of ink in a direction of gravity toward a bottom surface of the interior beneath which the volume of ink is prevented from occupying.
  • a housing section below the interior retains a portion of the exit port so that a bottom of the opening of the exit port is substantially horizontally aligned with the bottom surface. It allows the passage of an entirety of the volume of ink from the interior to the imaging device without stranding the volume of ink beneath the opening of the ink exit port.
  • Modular components, arrangement of the ports on the housing, preferential port sizes, air venting, and port plugging arrangements to prevent fluid leakage define other embodiments, to name a few.
  • multiple different supply items exist for many colors of fluid (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow and black).
  • Multiple channels circulate colored fluid between supply item containers and nozzles of an ejection head.
  • a single pump maintains the entirety of fluid flowing in the imaging device. It does so also without complex control systems, clutches, feedback sensors or other similar control mechanisms.
  • action of the pump stirs the fluid in the container. Sediments in pigmented based ink are mixed thoroughly.
  • the design overcomes settling during periods of inactivity. It improves conventional designs having mechanical stir bars and other mechanisms. It limits entrainment of particles settled at the bottom of the container.
  • a fluid reservoir is intermediately disposed between the supply item and the ejection head.
  • the reservoir sets the backpressure for each of the color channels in the imaging device. It also temporarily stores overflowed fluid awaiting transport back to the supply container.
  • each reservoir has a first inlet and outlet connected to a respectively colored supply item.
  • a second inlet and outlet connects to the ejection head.
  • the reservoir has two sections: a backpressure region that connects threefold to each of the first inlet from the supply container and the second inlet and outlets communicated to the ejection head; and an overflow region that connects only to the ink return port of the supply item.
  • a wall divides the two sections in the reservoir. As ink flows into the reservoir from the supply item, it fills the backpressure region. Eventually, fluid rises higher than the height of the dividing wall and spills into the overflow region. The operation is similar to a dam. It avoids the use of floats or valves.
  • the spilled-over fluid can return to the ink supply on demand.
  • fluid in respective reservoirs can sit at various heights. During use, less full reservoirs can fill as the pump operates, while full reservoirs can simultaneously return fluid back to their supply containers. Fluid does not spill from the walls defining the bounds of the reservoir, however, as the dividing wall in the reservoir has a height shorter than exterior walls of the reservoir defining the volume of the reservoir.
  • the reservoir can include various filters, standpipes, fittings, or other structures useful in fluid mechanics. The design eliminates restricting the height of the supply item container. It also allows flexible placement of the supply item within the machine.
  • methods and apparatus include a recirculation system for micro-fluid applications, such as a system to circulate ink throughout an inkjet printer imaging device.
  • the system includes containers to supply an initial or refillable amount of fluid to the system and reservoirs intermediately positioned between the supply item container and ink ejection heads.
  • a supply item 10 for use in an imaging device includes a housing 12 defining an interior 14. It contains an initial or refillable supply of ink 16.
  • the ink is any of a variety of aqueous inks, such as those based on dye or pigmented formulations. It also typifies varieties of color, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc. It is used in diverse applications such as inkjet printing, medical imaging, forming circuit traces, etc.
  • the volume of ink depletes downward toward a bottom surface 18 of the interior of the housing in a direction of gravity G.
  • the bottom surface is generally flat or sloped. It directs fluid toward one end 25 of the housing from which the ink can be drawn toward an imaging device.
  • the ink flows out of the housing to the imaging device by way of an exit port 20. Ink flows back into the housing from the imaging device by way of a return port 22.
  • the ports are any of a variety but typify cylindrical tubes with internal ball 26 and spring 28. They each mate with a septum needle 30 from the imaging device.
  • the needle inserts into the port upon the action of a user.
  • the needle and port are pushed relative to one another to overcome the bias of the spring and the ball slides rearward.
  • openings 32, 34 in the port and needle are communicated and a fluidic channel opens between the interior 14 of the housing and the needle. Fluid then exits port 20 through the needle and returns to port 22, as the case may be.
  • Seals, rings, bezels, washers, and septums, or the like may find utility in the design to prevent leakage.
  • Other fluid communication channels are also within the scope of the design as are alternative plugging structures for closing the ports and retaining fluid in the housing interior when not in use.
  • the housing is any of a variety of containers for holding ink. Its material can embody glass, plastic, metal, etc. It can be recyclable or not. It can encompass simplicity or complexity. Techniques for producing the housing are variable as well. Blow molding, injection molding, etc. are envisioned. Welding, heat-staking, gluing, tooling, etc. are also envisioned. Selecting materials for the housing and designing the production, in addition to ascertaining conditions for shipping, storing, using, etc. the housing, includes focusing on further criteria, such as costs, ease of implementation, durability, leakage, and a host of other items.
  • the shape of the housing is varied. In one embodiment, the shape is dictated by an amount of fluid to be retained and good engineering practices, such as contemplation of the larger imaging context in which the housing is used.
  • the housing In the design given, the housing is generally cylindrical or rectangular and sits vertically upright. It holds of volume of ink on the order of about 450 ml in a container defining a capacity of about 500 ml. It has a height of about 120 mm. In smaller designs having the same height, the ink volume is about 150 ml in a capacity of about 180-190 ml.
  • the walls of the housing have a thickness "t" and are generally the same about an entirety of the housing. They are sufficiently thick to maintain the shape of the housing throughout a lifetime of usage.
  • the walls are rigid to preventing bowing, tilting and the like. They are not defined, however, that material is excessively wasted.
  • the thickness ranges from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mm.
  • the walls may be also formed as a unitary structure in a single instance of manufacturing or as pieces fitted together from individual parts. The latter envisions a modular construction.
  • a front piece 40 supports both the ink exit and return ports 20, 22 in vertical alignment. It holds them one above the other at a distance "d" that matches the distance of separation between the needles of the imaging device.
  • the ports insert through the front piece in an instance of manufacturing separate from the construction of the walls of the housing.
  • the front piece connects to the walls after construction of the walls, such as by welding at joints 42.
  • the modularity enables variability in the volume of the housing for differing imaging applications, but without complicating manufacturing. Namely, a front piece 40 can be consistently sized and shaped to match the fluid fittings of the imaging device. At the same time, the front piece can fit on either a large or small container simply by attaching it to the walls of the housing.
  • construction of the front piece includes forming the front piece, providing openings 46, 48 for the ports and attaching/inserting the tube, ball, spring, etc. versus simply molding the walls.
  • This enables the size of the housing walls to vary as demand dictates, but overall manufacturing only changes by the amount necessary to make the walls different sizes.
  • the construction of the front piece, ports and tooling remains the same from one product offering to the next. This saves costs while allowing many differently sized products.
  • the housing arranges its ink exit and return ports one above the other.
  • the return port is higher than the exit port and has a larger cross-sectional opening through the thickness of the housing than does the opening of the exit port.
  • the size of the return port is about 1.2 times as large as the size of the exit port, or greater. In another, it is 2.0 times as large, or greater.
  • the actual diameter of the openings is about 1.0 - 4.0 mm for the exit port and about 2.0 - 8.0 mm for the return port.
  • the larger return port means that the volume of ink returned back into the housing from the imaging device will be slowed in velocity. As ink falls 48 from the return port down to a current fill level 50 of the fluid in the container, the slowed velocity minimizes ink frothiness or bubble activity in the container. Fewer bubbles also translate into more consistent ink flow from the exit port back into the imaging device. Fewer bubbles aids too in the accuracy of ink level detection. In those designs incorporating level detectors, air does not push tops of bubbles higher than the current fill level 50.
  • the larger return port assists manufacturers in the assembly of the supply item.
  • the two ports along the housing are also separated from one another vertically as far as feasibly practicable.
  • a maximum vertical distance between them enables a large-as-possible space in the housing for at least two benefits.
  • purging an imaging device may require emptying existing ink in fluid lines and the printhead. Space in the container accommodates adding extra ink back into the supply item. Also, air can be suctioned from the imaging device back into the supply item and its space accommodates this too.
  • Second, keeping the ports separated by a great distance forces the position of the return port 22 to be as high as possible on the container. In turn, the return port is maintained above the current fill level 50. This avoids complex valves in the port.
  • the housing further includes a section 60 below the bottom surface to retain a portion 62 of the ink exit port 20 so that a bottom 64 of the opening 48 of the ink exit port is substantially horizontally aligned with the bottom surface 18 of the interior. In this way, a substantial entirety of the volume of ink in the interior is allowed to pass to the imaging device without stranding the volume of ink beneath the opening of the ink exit port if it were otherwise positioned above the bottom surface 18.
  • an air venting port can be a port 70 similar to the ink exit and return ports that mates with a needle connected to an air source (atmosphere, recycled air, fan, etc.) by way of the imaging device.
  • an air source atmosphere, recycled air, fan, etc.
  • the housing is vented.
  • the placement of the air vent port could be linearly arranged on the front piece in a manner consistent with modular assembly of the supply item.
  • Figures 4A-4C alternate locations of the air vent port are illustrated on the housing relative to the ink exit and return ports.
  • a single air venting port exists at a top of the housing and a single combined port exists near a bottom of the housing for both ink exit and return.
  • the vent could be a traditional tortuous or serpentine path in a thickness of the housing.
  • Skilled artisans will observe that the position of the return port in any of these designs can also assume a placement location closer to the exit port instead of residing away at a maximum vertical distance. Closer exit and return ports may assist in better stirring of pigmented ink or provide other benefits.
  • the supply item interfaces with a fluid (re)circulation system.
  • the fluid (re)circulation system 100 includes a multi-channel pump 110 and a plurality of reservoirs 120.
  • the pump and reservoirs (re)circulate fluid from sources of differently colored supply items 10 to an ejection head 130 for imaging operations.
  • the supply items are available in a variety of colors, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K).
  • the reservoirs 120 and individual nozzles (not shown) of the ejection head are dedicated to one of the colors. They are also independent of one another and exist in discrete fluid circulation channels.
  • the pump forces fluid into the reservoirs 120 on fluid lines in the direction of the arrows.
  • the pump activates to fill the reservoir upon meeting certain criteria. Examples include initiating fill upon reaching a predetermined low limit within the reservoir or supply item, ejecting a predetermined number of fluid drops from the ejection head, exceeding a predetermined time limit, commanding the evacuation of fluid from the ejection head to deprime it, or by way of any other means.
  • the fill of the reservoir occurs from the supply item by way of its fluid exit port 20. It travels in a fluid line 27 to a bottomside 125 of the reservoir. It enters the reservoir at inlet port 127. From the ejection head, fill of the reservoir occurs along fluid line 29.
  • the standpipe has an entrance 131 elevated above a height of a dividing wall 145. Its operation is described below. Fluid leaves the reservoir at outlet ports 151 and 153. It travels in fluid lines 51 and 53 back to the ejection head and the supply item(s), respectively. (Alternatively, the entry and exit of fluid from the reservoir can occur by way of fluid channels to other locations around the reservoir.
  • a lid may be also placed as a cover on the reservoir. The inlet from the ejection head can reside in the lid. Ink level sensing in the reservoir is available too as needed.)
  • the dividing wall 145 defines separate sections of the reservoir having separate uses.
  • the wall defines a backpressure region 175.
  • the wall defines an overflow region 177.
  • the former serves as the backpressure control mechanism for the imaging device.
  • the latter serves as a storage section for fluid overflowed in the reservoir awaiting transport back to the supply container. (Alternatively, the reservoir may avoid the dividing wall and use a simple opening in the exterior walls to flow overflowed fluid back to the supply item.)
  • ink flows into the reservoir 120 C from the supply item, where it fills the backpressure region 175.
  • fluid rises higher 182 than the height of the dividing wall and spills over into the overflow region.
  • the operation is similar to a dam.
  • the spilled-over fluid can return to the ink supply on demand.
  • fluid 184 in reservoir 120 M has yet to fill to a height sufficient to overflow the dividing wall 145.
  • Its overflow region 177 remains empty, as shown, or at a height lower than the height of the dividing wall. Simultaneously, or at separate times, fluid leaves the reservoir and fills the ejection head 130.
  • fluid lines are caused to operate upon the action of a single pump 110.
  • the fluid in respective reservoirs 120 can sit at various heights. The less full reservoirs can fill as the pump operates, while full reservoirs can simultaneously return fluid back to their supply containers. The design eliminates concerns of overfilling since once the overflow level is reached, all the additional fluid provided to the reservoir is returned to the supply item with no need to independently control each channel. Fluid also does not spill from the exterior walls 190 defining the bounds of the reservoir as the dividing wall in the reservoir has a height sufficiently shorter than a height of the exterior walls.
  • the reservoir also can include filters, fittings, septums, seals, or other structures useful in fluid mechanics.
  • fluid line 29 may optionally include another pump or check valve 131 to assist in returning fluid from the ejection head to the reservoir. This valve may be used to create a vacuum to pull fluid into the ejection head for priming.
  • Representative sizes of the regions include 16-22 cc's for the backpressure and 2-8 cc's for the overflow.
  • the size of the volume of the overflow region also can be optimized to allow for various operations of the printer. For a system level deprime, the capacity of the overflow region is made large or small to accommodate the volume of fluid that exists in the fluid lines of the imaging device so all the ink can be pulled from the ejection head and stored in the reservoir. The rate of return from the overflow region back to the supply item can be also increased above that of the rate of fill the reservoir to ensure the overflow region stays empty. Once the overflow has been evacuated of ink, air will be pulled back into the supply item through the vent in the reservoir which eliminates the risk of the overflow section from being under vaccuum.
  • Relatively apparent advantages of the many embodiments include, but are not limited to: (1) delivering essentially all the fluid in a container to an imaging device; (2) delivering the fluid in a manner that promotes uniform pigment concentration of ink over the lifetime of the container; (3) eliminating height restrictions of the supply item container; (4) allowing flexible placement of the supply item within the imaging device; (5) avoiding wasteful ink practices during priming operations of the ejection head; (6) precisely controlling backpressure in an imaging device; (7) operating and maintaining but a single pump for the entirety of fluid channels within the imaging device; and (8) avoiding complexity, such as eliminating or reducing the need for intricate control systems, clutches, feedback sensors, etc. for pumping systems, mechanical stir bars for supply item containers, and floats/valves for reservoirs.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Eine Verbrauchstintenzuführeinheit (10) zum Fassen einer anfänglichen oder nachfüllbaren Tintenmenge (16), wobei die Verbrauchstintenzuführeinheit (10) an ein Bilderzeugungsgerät anschließbar ist, das ein Pumpen-Tintenumlaufsystem aufweist, und beinhaltet:
    ein Gehäuse (12), das einen eine Bodenoberfläche (18) beinhaltenden Innenraum (14) definiert, um die Tintenmenge (16) aufzunehmen; und
    Tintenausgangs- und -rücklaufanschlüsse (20, 22), die
    Flüssigkeitsverbindungsöffnungen durch das Gehäuse definieren, wodurch der Innenraum (14) in Fließverbindung zu dem daran anschließbaren Bilderzeugungsgerät hin und davon weg steht, wobei die Querschnittsfläche des Tintenrücklaufanschlusses (22) größer ist als die Querschnittsfläche des Tintenausgangsanschlusses (20); und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Boden (64) des Tintenausgangsanschlusses (20) im Wesentlichen horizontal nach der Bodenoberfläche (18) des Innenraums (14) ausgerichtet ist, und der Tintenrücklaufanschluss (22) über dem Tintenausgangsanschluss (20) auf dem Gehäuse (12), so wie das Gehäuse im Gebrauch orientiert ist, liegt.
  2. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Tintenrücklaufanschluss (22) von dem Tintenausgangsanschluss (20) entfernt über einem Füllstand der Tinte im Innenraum (14) des Gehäuses (12) liegt.
  3. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Tintenausgangs- und -rücklaufanschlüsse (20, 22) eine Kugel (26) umfassen, die zu einem Außenbereich des Gehäuses hin vorgespannt ist, um die Anschlüsse bei Nichtgebrauch geschlossen zu halten und die Tintenmenge (16) im Innenbereich (14) aufzunehmen.
  4. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse (12) weiter einen Belüftungsanschluss (70) umfasst.
  5. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei der Belüftungsanschluss (70) und die Tintenausgangs- und -rücklaufanschlüsse (20, 22) vertikal übereinander entlang eines Vorderstücks (40) des Gehäuses (12) ausgerichtet sind.
  6. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei der Tintenrücklaufanschluss (22) ein höchster Anschluss entlang des Gehäuses (12) ist, so wie das Gehäuse im Gebrauch orientiert ist.
  7. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Querschnittsfläche des Tintenrücklaufanschlusses (22) mindestens 1,2-mal größer ist als die Querschnittsfläche des Tintenausgangsanschlusses (20).
  8. Zuführeinheit gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse (12) eine Bodenoberfläche (18) im Innenbereich (14) definiert, unterhalb derer die Tintenmenge (16) am Einnehmen gehindert wird, und das Gehäuse weiter einen Abschnitt (60) unter der Bodenoberfläche (18) des Innenbereichs (14) umfasst, um einen Teil (62) des Tintenausgangsanschlusses (20) aufzunehmen, so dass ein Boden (64) einer Öffnung (48) des Tintenausgangsanschlusses (20) im Wesentlichen horizontal mit der Bodenoberfläche (18) des Innenbereichs (14) ist, so wie das Gehäuse (12) im Gebrauch orientiert ist, um im Wesentlichen eine Gesamtheit der Tintenmenge (16) von dem Innenbereich (14) an das Bilderzeugungsgerät zu übermitteln, ohne die Tintenmenge (16) unterhalb der Öffnung (48) des Tintenausgangsanschlusses (20) zu verlieren.
EP11192394.2A 2010-12-29 2011-12-07 Verbrauchsartikel, Flüssigkeitsbehälter und Kreislaufsystem für mikrofluidische Anwendungen Not-in-force EP2471660B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/980,556 US8544991B2 (en) 2010-12-29 2010-12-29 Consumable supply item, fluid reservoir and recirculation system for micro-fluid applications

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2471660A1 EP2471660A1 (de) 2012-07-04
EP2471660B1 true EP2471660B1 (de) 2013-11-20

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EP11192394.2A Not-in-force EP2471660B1 (de) 2010-12-29 2011-12-07 Verbrauchsartikel, Flüssigkeitsbehälter und Kreislaufsystem für mikrofluidische Anwendungen

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US (1) US8544991B2 (de)
EP (1) EP2471660B1 (de)
CN (1) CN102529398B (de)
AU (1) AU2011265553A1 (de)
BR (1) BRPI1107165A2 (de)
CA (1) CA2761185A1 (de)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20120169812A1 (en) 2012-07-05
CN102529398A (zh) 2012-07-04
BRPI1107165A2 (pt) 2013-11-12
US8544991B2 (en) 2013-10-01
CN102529398B (zh) 2015-04-08
AU2011265553A1 (en) 2012-07-19
CA2761185A1 (en) 2012-06-29
EP2471660A1 (de) 2012-07-04

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